“What's the matter?” asked Tom.
“I was just looking to see if any of the men were about,” he answered. “But I guess not—it looks all right. The entrance is right here.”
They were on a side of the mountain, near the summit. Below stretched a magnificent scene. A great valley lay at their feet, and they could look off to many distant peaks. The main trail to Leadville, and the one to the settlement of Indian Ridge, was in sight.
Suddenly Tom, who had been using a small but powerful telescope, uttered an exclamation, and focussed the instrument on a speck that seemed moving along on the trail below.
“A man—coming up the mountain,” cried Tom. “And—it can't be—yet it is—it's Farley Munson—the stowaway!” he cried. “He's coming here!”
“Let me look!” begged Mr. Jenks, taking the glass from Tom. An instant later the diamond man exclaimed: “Yes, it's Munson!”
“Then in here with you—quick!” cried Renshaw. “He can't see us yet, and we'll be out of sight in another minute.”
The former spirit pulled aside some thick bushes, and pointed to a hole which was disclosed.
“The entrance to the secret cave,” he announced. “Slip in all of you.”
Tom, after another glance at the man toiling his way up the mountain, entered the cavern. He was followed by the others. Bill was the last to enter, and he replaced the bushes over the entrance.